Training & SupportBuilding capacity, ensuring sustainability.

The long-term success of IST depends on more than software - it requires trained staff, certified administrators, and responsive technical support. This section presents the full training program developed by the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (SORS), including structured courses for IT staff, statisticians, and developers.

You’ll also find a clear certification path that formalizes each level of IST expertise, along with a robust support framework featuring email helpdesk, remote troubleshooting, and intelligent chatbots. Whether you are a new user or a certified national partner, the IST Team ensures you are never alone on your implementation journey.

IST Training Program

The IST Training Program is designed to build the technical capacity of professionals working in national statistical offices (NSOs), including IT staff, statisticians, and methodologists. Delivered by the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (SORS), the program offers structured, hands-on courses that equip participants with the skills needed to deploy, manage, and customize IST for a wide range of statistical operations.

All training modules are field-tested, having been successfully implemented in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania as part of national and regional modernization projects.

Training Tracks and Structure

The program is organized into three progressive tracks for IT staff, alongside a specialized introductory course for statistical professionals:

Basic level

I - IST SQL Basic Training
Format: Online or On-prem
Duration: 30h over 5 days
Target Audience: IT staff with no or limited SQL experience

Topics include:

  • Introduction to relational databases and SQL Server
  • Tables, columns, data types, keys
  • Writing SELECT queries and filtering
  • JOINs, subqueries, logical conditions
  • Aggregation, data transformations, and views

II - IST Basic Training
Format: Online or On-prem
Duration: 30h over 5 days
Target Audience: IT staff new to IST usage

Topics include:

  • Metadata database composition and IST folder structure
  • Creating apps using metadata (forms)
  • Defining logical control rules for validation
  • Connecting to address/reference data and codebooks
  • Building basic output tables and running data validation

Advanced level

a) IST SQL Advanced Training
Format: Online or On-prem
Duration: 30h over 5 days
Target Audience: IT staff with prior SQL/IST experience

Topics include:

  • SQL transactions, concurrency control, deadlocks
  • Stored procedures, user-defined functions, UDTs
  • Use of temp tables, table variables
  • Linked servers, OPENROWSET, and optimization strategies
  • Indexing and performance-aware database design
b) IST Advanced Training
Format: Online or On-prem
Duration: 30h over 5 days
Target Audience: IST administrators and advanced IT users

Topics include:

  • Writing complex rules using SQL in IST validations
  • Handling multi-response fields and embedded codebooks
  • Deploying region-specific metadata and users
  • Integrating with IST Web for online collection
  • Troubleshooting validation errors and optimizing data flows

Expert level

IST Developer Track* (2 modules)
Format: On-premise only (delivered at SORS headquarters)
Duration: 10 to 15 days total
Target Audience: Developers working on IST customization and system extensions

Modules include:

  • Module 1: Covers IST system setup, performance tuning, audit logging, export automation, and metadata migration.
  • Module 2: Focuses on VB.NET logic, dynamic form behavior, CAWI generation, and custom interface development.
*This track is reserved for advanced users from NSOs who have completed the Advanced Level and participate in IST development or contribute to regional enhancements.

IST for Statisticians and Methodologists

In addition to technical training, SORS offers a dedicated course for statisticians and methodologists to promote understanding and effective use of IST from a conceptual and planning perspective.


Format: Online or On-prem
Duration: 12h over 2 days
Target Audience: Statisticians and Methodologists

Topics include:

  • Introduction to the IST system and its benefits
  • Use of GSBPM and IST for statistical standardization
  • IST’s role within the full data integration framework
  • Live system demonstration and overview of international development roadmap
  • Examples of IST implementation in household, business, and administrative surveys

IST Certification

The IST Certification Program formalizes the progression of IT staff through structured training and practical application, recognizing proficiency at three certification levels: Basic, Advanced, and Developer Expert.

Each certification is awarded upon successful completion of two training modules and is designed to reflect a participant’s growing ability to configure, maintain, and expand the IST system in production environments.

Certification Structure and Prerequisites

Certification Level Training Title Format Duration Target Audience Certification Outcome
IST Certified User
Basic Level
IST SQL Basic Training Online or On-prem 30h over 5 days IT staff with no or limited SQL experience Confirms foundational SQL Server skills: SELECT queries, JOINs, data aggregation, use of views
IST Basic Training Online or On-prem 30h over 5 days IT staff new to IST Demonstrates ability to configure forms, validations, and outputs within IST
IST Certified Professional
Advanced Level
IST SQL Advanced Training Online or On-prem 30h over 5 days IT staff with prior SQL/IST experience Validates stored procedures, optimization, concurrency control, and advanced SQL
IST Advanced Training Online or On-prem 30h over 5 days IST administrators and advanced IT users Certifies competence in configuring multi-layered IST setups, regional deployments, troubleshooting
IST Certified Developer
Expert Level
IST Developer Track (2 modules) On-prem (SORS only) 10 to 15 days total Developers specializing in IST customization Recognizes advanced system development, integration, and forensic logging mastery

Progression Pathway

Participants progress through three tiers of certification.
Each tier is cumulative:

1. Basic Level
(Certified User)

Must complete:

• IST SQL Basic Training
• IST Basic Training

2. Advanced Level
(Certified Professional)

Must complete:

• IST SQL Advanced Training
• IST Advanced Training

3. Expert Level
(Certified Developer)

Must complete:

• IST Developer Track Module 1
(held at SORS)

• IST Developer Track Module 2
(held at SORS)
IST Certification Pathway Certification Pathway from Basic to Expert

Recognition and Benefits

  • All certified users receive a Certificate of Achievement from SORS
  • Certifications are registered internally for continued support and project collaboration
  • Advanced and Developer-level graduates may be invited to join international IST enhancement projects or participate in regional missions

Helpdesk & Contact Channels

To ensure continuous support and knowledge transfer, the IST Team provides a multi-tiered helpdesk and assistance framework for national statistical offices (NSOs), certified users, and development partners. Whether you're configuring a new survey, troubleshooting validation logic, or preparing output reports, expert guidance is available.

IST Support Services Include:

  • Email Support
    Direct access to the IST support team for technical questions, issue reporting, and clarification of training content.
  • Remote Troubleshooting
    Assistance with system configuration, metadata debugging, and SQL troubleshooting via remote sessions (based on request).
  • Training Coordination
    Support for scheduling training events (online or on-prem), managing certification procedures, and adapting content for specific institutional needs.
  • Documentation Access & Guidance
    Help identifying the right user, administrator, or developer guide for your specific task.

AI Assistance – Two Intelligent Chatbots

To make IST knowledge more accessible, two AI-powered support agents are available on the website:

General Access Chatbot

Available to all website visitors for real-time answers to frequently asked questions about IST, including features, structure, and metadata concepts.

Partner & Certified User Chatbot

Exclusive to IST partners (NSOs with signed MOU) and certified users. Offers targeted assistance on topics such as IST metadata design, validation rules, SQL examples, and technical debugging.
These bots operate continuously and are updated with training materials, FAQs, and best practices gathered from multiple IST deployments.

Dedicated Contact Email

For all general inquiries, support requests, or collaboration proposals, please contact: ist@stat.gov.rs
All incoming requests are logged and tracked through a centralized helpdesk platform for timely response and resolution.

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